Your day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to the Rhine Valley

The scenic Rhine River is a convenient 90-minute train connection away from Frankfurt's airport. We'll meet around 5 p.m. at our hotel for a "Welcome to Germany" get together. Then we'll take an evening walk through charming St. Goar and enjoy dinner together. Sleep in or near St. Goar (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.

Day 2: Castles and Cruising the Rhine

We'll begin our day exploring cliff-top Rheinfels Castle, before making our way to the half-timbered village of Bacharach. After a walking tour with a local guide, we'll cruise the Rhine River (weather permitting), passing picturesque castles and vineyards, and return to St. Goar for the evening. No bus. Boat: ¾ hr. Walking: strenuous.

Day 3: Burg Eltz Castle and Roman Trier

We'll drive along the scenic Mosel River, stopping to tour the mighty Burg Eltz Castle. In the afternoon, we'll visit Germany's oldest city, pedestrian-friendly Trier. We'll sleep just over the hills in the old resort town of Baden-Baden (2 nights). Bus: 7 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 4: Hike or Soak in Baden-Baden

After touring Baden-Baden's casino, you'll have the rest of the day and evening free to 'do the spa' (with or without your swimsuit), wander along the shaded riverside promenade or hike the surrounding hills. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 5: Black Forest and the Berner Oberland

We'll drive through the Black Forest this morning as we make our way high into the Swiss Alps. At the end of our chalet-dotted drive, we'll take a gondola lift up to the cliff-top village of Murren in the Berner Oberland, where we'll enjoy stunning views, eat dinner together and sleep (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 6: All Day to Hike in the Swiss Alps

The day is all yours. You may want to ride a gondola lift up to the Schilthorn at 10,000 feet, loiter in the thin air and hike down. Or just wander through the meadows and play Heidi. For more Alpine thrills, take narrow-gauge railways to trailheads near the majestic Eiger and Jungfrau peaks. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 7: Scenic Drive into Bavaria

Sit back and enjoy the pristine mountain and lake scenery during today's long drive to Bavaria. Sleep in or near Munich (2 nights). Bus: 7 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 8: All Day to Wander Through Munich

After an informative walking tour, you'll have the rest of the day to stroll the lively heart of Germany's most livable city, to admire its many museums or to rent a bike and appreciate how much fun two wheels can be. No bus. Walking: moderate to strenuous (your choice).

Day 9: Neuschwanstein and the Luge

This morning we'll tour "Mad" King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle. Then we'll slide down a luge course (weather and season permitting), before heading into Austria. We'll begin our stay in Salzburg with an orientation walk through the historic center. Sleep in Salzburg (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 10: All Day to Explore Salzburg

After a morning walking tour, you'll have the rest of the day and evening free. You can wander Salzburg's magnificent gardens, walk in Mozart's footsteps through the old town or pedal a rented bike into the countryside. This is "Sound of Music" country, so there's nearly always an evening concert. No bus. Walking: moderate to strenuous (your choice).

Day 11: Austria's Lovely Lake District

Today we make our way to tiny Hallstatt, located in the heart of Austria's idyllic Salzkammergut Lake District. Enjoy a free afternoon communing with Mother Nature on foot or by boat, or explore a salt mine on your own. Sleep in the postcard-pretty lakeside village of Hallstatt (1 night). Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 12: Lessons of History

Today we'll drive to Austria's magnificent capital of Vienna, stopping en route to visit sobering Mauthausen, the Nazi concentration camp. We'll also tour the opulent Schönbrunn Palace, Austria's rival to Versailles. Sleep in Vienna (2 nights). Bus: 6 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 13: All Day in Classy Vienna

We'll start our day with a walking tour of this refined, graceful city. The rest of your day is free to explore more of Vienna's highlights, such as its grand opera house, world-class museums or cozy coffee houses. As it's our last night together, we'll enjoy a farewell Viennese feast. No bus. Walking: moderate to strenuous (your choice).

Day 14: Tour Over After Breakfast

Extend your stay in elegant Vienna or regretfully say Auf Wiedersehen!

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

Choose a date and sign up for your tour online